tracked leader from 3rd, led going well 2 out, shaken up and drew clear approaching last, easily
held up in mid-division, pushed along and weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
pulled hard, led 1st, mistake 5th, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened, lost 2nd after last
in touch until lost place 5th, behind from next, tailed off
jumped moderately in rear, went left 2nd, struggling before 3 out, moderate late headway, tailed off
held up towards rear, struggling after 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
held up towards rear, headway 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, struggling in 5th when blundered 2 out
towards rear, driven and struggling 4 out, tailed off
keen hold in mid-division, ridden and weakening when hit 3 out, tailed off
in touch, headway to 3rd after 4th, pushed along before 3 out, no extra from 2 out
led to 1st, chased leader to 3rd, under pressure after 4th, soon lost place, tailed off
not fluent, always in rear, struggling 5th, soon tailed off
held up towards rear, steady headway approaching 3 out, 3rd 2 out, kept on into 2nd after last, never any chance with easy winner
It's a slight worry that Be There In Five's point-to-point runs on soft ground were not exceptional, so he is passed over in favour of EXPRESS LEADER who should revel in the underfoot conditions. Paul Nicholls' gelding has not been seen since suffering a narrow defeat to Manmoon at Exeter in January. The form of that run is nothing to get excited about however he had previously impressed in two bumpers and the hope is that we will see a different horse on this softer ground. Dingat managed to pick up two bumpers, of which the former is working out nicely, Glenwood Knight has some excellent form to his name and if fit enough after 388 days off then he must be a major player, whilst Hard Act has the benefit of a recent run under his belt and he looks sure to see out every yard of the trip. Mr Bennett's debut third to Giles Cross looks solid form for this level, Mr Tingle is more exposed but seems to be slowly getting the hang of things, whilst No Tears needs a market check on this racecourse bow. Scottish Munros already looks as if he needs four miles, Volador shaped with lots of promise in a hot Novice Hurdle at Ascot and rates a big danger, whilst Wayward Prince should be suited by the long home straight today. A wonderful race, and certainly one to record for the future, however today may be the day for Express Leader.
Be There In Five (IRE) 7-1 (12-0) Alw pr & ld, in command from 3out, kow, won at Summerhill 3m ire ptp gd in Apr beating The Speedy Man (12-0) by dis, 12 ran.
Dingat (IRE) 2-1 (11-2) Led to 12f out, tracked leader, led 4f out, hard ridden and narrowly headed over 2f out, stayed challenging, disputing lead when ridden and hung right well inside final furlong, led post, won at Ffos Las 1m 6f nhf (6) sft in Nov beating Crannaghmore Mist (11-0) by ns, 7 ran.
Express Leader 2-7fav (10-12) Prominent, chased leader 3rd, led approaching 4th, clear approaching 3 out, hit 3 out and ridden, headed last, rallied and hard ridden flat, just failed, 2nd of 10, shd behind Manmoon (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Hard Act (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Led, ridden and headed approaching 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 4th of 9, 22l behind Peddlers Cross (11-0) at Haydock 2m NH flat (4) sft in Nov.
Hear My Song (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway halfway, chased leaders 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 16, 15l behind Chartreux (10-13) at Warwick 2m NH flat (6) sft.
Meet The Critics (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Held up, never dangerous, 9th of 13, 46l behind Horsford (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f NH flat (6) gs in Nov.
Mr Bennett (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway 7th, ridden approaching 2 out, every chance from last, close up, looked held when hampered towards finish, 3rd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Giles Cross (11-0) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (4) hvy in Dec '08.
Mr Tingle 33-1 (10-12) Held up, weakened from 3 out, 7th of 16, 34l behind Kerada (10-5) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
No Tears (IRE) 6-4 (12-0) Made all, went away from 2out, row, snugly, won at Kilsheelan 3m ire ptp gd in Oct beating Two Shook Men (12-0) by 15l, 15 ran.
Preuty Boy (FR) 12-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, lost place 3 out, soon beaten, 5th of 13, 21l behind Bangkok Pete (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Scottish Munros 16-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, behind from 5th, headway approaching 7th, no impression, 5th of 9, 7l behind Whats Up Woody (11-0) at Hexham 3m mdn hdl (5) hvy.
Silver Token 33-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, pushed along and headway on wide outside over 4f out, kept on from 2f out, went modest 3rd last stride, 3rd of 13, 17l behind Adams Island (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m NH flat (6) gs.
Volador (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, ridden and hung left approaching last, driven and stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 11, 1/2l behind Ashfield's Dream (10-12) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Glenwood Knight (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Prominent, led 5th, ridden and narrowly headed 2 out, soon hung left, rallied to lead flat, all out, finished 1st (placed 2nd), in a race won by Darstardly Dick (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft in Dec '08, 10 ran.
Rokinhorsescience (FR) 25-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, hit 6th, weakened after next, 9th of 12, well behind Quentin Collonges (11-5) at Huntingdon 3m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Wayward Prince 5-2 (10-12) Held up, headway after 5th, outpaced approaching 3 out, hung left and stayed on flat, went 2nd near finish, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Abbevillian (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft in Nov.
